Issues for Federal Fisheries off AlaskaBy Ron FelthovenEconomics and Social Sciences Research ProgramAlaska Fisheries Science Center
Rationalization ProgramsFishing and Processing Decisions Differ in an ITQ or Cooperative System•What will happen to the size of current fleet?•Consolidation will decrease the number of jobs in the industry•Can impact small rural communities•Who is likely to remain in the fishery?•AK residents vs. non-residents•Larger companies vs. independent owners•Where will the remaining vessels deliver their fish?•Can have implications for communities dependent upon processing
Rationalization Programs •How will rationalization in one fishery impact other?•Owners may want to lease quota and devote all effort elsewhere•Time flexibility may allow for activity in both•May affect marine mammals during critical times•How might fishing strategies change?•Will spatio-temporal intensity of effort be dispersed or intensified?•Will searching behavior increase? Will new areas be fished?•Is cooperation among vessels likely?